3 Jun 2008 by juls
I want canvass opinion as to what additional turf care operations could be undertaken to further improve the lawns of several private domestic customers. At presant we carry out Broad Leaf Weed treatment, Spring/Summer & Autumn Fert program, Moss treatment, Spring Scarification & overseed, Solid Tine aeration - 2 directions - in Autumn.
On one location we use a Ransome Marquis 61; although I do feel it is a bit to wide for dealing with the undulations. There is a lot of coarse grasses in this one
On other sites I use; dare I say it, a Rotary with a roller, undulations are a bit less of an issue on these.
Size wise we are talking of between 2500 & 5000 m2
Hi juls, Welcome to PC.
Are you taking any action to address the undulations in Lawn#1 to make it more suitable for the Marquis 61? (Topdressing to fill the hollows or somesuch?)
Otherwise it may be more appropriate to swap the two machines between locations.
Nothing wrong with a rotary/roller on a domestic lawn if you keep the blades sharp. (Actually applies to all mowers on all grass).
GOGGA
3 Jun 2008 by juls
Hi Sumomosr
Top dressing on #1 would help but there is also an arguement for turf cutting the high spots, skimming & relaying as they are helping to create hollows that would take umpteen dressings to make any significant difference. So unfortunatly I think I am stuck with them, shame as worsts is on the main lawn which is about size of 4 tennis courts; could look fantastic. Swapping poss one way but not other.
What do you think of the merits of Grooming, Verticutting and Sorrel spiking in this situation.
If you have the equipment you should use everything at your disposal to achieve the best job you can within the constraints of your customers budget v expectations.
You could use the spoil from the high spots to in-fill some of the lower spots? Anything to make life easier for the cylinder mower and to improve the finish is good. Some intensive labour required but that's part of the job.
I'm a machinery Tech so am not qualified to comment on the agronomic practices but you sound like you're on the right track.
However, I don't think your turf is suitable for grooming?
Do you scarrify for Thatch removal? Now there's plenty of advice available from the members here so - over to them...
GOGGA
If the humps need lowering, try hollow coring the high spots and dressing out the low spots.
It sounds as though verticutting etc may be severe on the undulations, however, it could be beneficial depending on the severity.
What is the purpose of seeding? Are you trying to replace the dominant species? And what success are you having with that?
Otherwise, seeding may be over the top and you should be hitting it harder?
3 Jun 2008 by juls
Thanks Sumomosr
We do scarify in the spring but do nothing else to aid air and moisture movement apart from Solid Tine Aeration in the Autumn
3 Jun 2008 by juls
Hi davtar01
Appreciate your reply.
Worth mentioning that I am dealing with lawns that have had years of neglect.
Have over seeded due to the degree of scarification required to remove thatch/moss. Where this has been done 2 or 3 times then yes it has changed the make up of species.
Could you just elaborate on the thinking behind hollow coring of the high spots?
3 Jun 2008 by Mike
In my humble opinion, hollow coring might actually be an option on the whole of the lawn if it has been neglected for a number of years. It would certainly be worth considering if there is a high thatch content throughout the lawn.
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